The fourth Positive Health Awards ceremony for the year 2009 was held at the St. Andrews auditorium on November 11th. The awards, instituted by Dr. Batra’s, were given to people who have been surviving various diseases by their sheer spirit of positivity.

Eight people across India, suffering from various diseases were selected for the award this year for showing the world the ‘spirit of survival.’ They are Master Ashley Vanristell, a 10 year old boy with rare genetic disorder, who runs a foundation to support children with the same problem by performing magic tricks and modeling in ads, Ms. Neerja Malik, a 54 year old cancer survivor, Ms. Malathi Holla, a 48 year old polio-afflicted lady, a Padmashree awardee, Mr. Charudatta Jadhav, a 40 year old blind man, an international chess player and software developer, who is working towards the employment of the disabled, Ms. Ashrita Shetty, a 21 year old girl with Down's syndrome, who is an outstanding dancer and trains under Shaimak Davar, Ms. Gauri Gadgil, an eighteen year old girl with Down's syndrome, a swimming champion, Ms. Sahara Shah, a five year old girl afflicted with cancer, modeling in ads and Dr. Yusuf Merchant, a doctor by profession, who launched the Drug Abuse Information Rehabilitation & Research Centre to create awareness and fight drug abuse.

Those present at the occasion among others were Bollywood celebrities Mugdha Godse, Gulshan Grover, Anu Malik, Reena Roy, Asha Sachdev whose lives have been touched by Dr Batra's Positive Health Clinics.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder and CMD, Dr. Batras’ Positive Health Clinic Pvt. Ltd. said, "The 21st century spells the survival of the fittest and it is fantastic to see how our real life ‘Heroes’ portray this with great ease and enthusiasm. By being rendered as one of these ‘Heroes’, there is a subsequent creation of awareness amongst the general public about the paramount importance of positive living and an optimistic attitude towards life. These ‘Heroes’ not only motivate the common man but also set an inspiring example that a disease or a disability should not be viewed as an obstacle but a challenge to be overcome. As a medical professional, I have always been inspired by individuals who believe in self-motivation and profess independence. The Positive Health Awards is a serious platform that honors this positive spirit, thereby re-affirming our commitment to all round health and positivity.”